Angle framer



W. E. HOLT ANGLE FRAMER March 26, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 19,1961 Man}! 25, 1963 w. E. HOLT 3,082,532

ANGLE FRAMER Filed Jan. 19, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 afyer 721/ 3,082,532ANGLE FRAMER Walter E. ielt, Ilox 1814, Loris, SC. Filed Jan. 12, 196i,Ser. No. 83,745 7 Elaims. (1. 33-91} This invention relates to a tool,and more particularly to a tool for facilitating the measuring,laying-oil and or marking of work such as rafters.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an angle framer ortool which is adapted to be used by carpenters or the like so as tofacilitate the layingofi of rafters and various bevels that are usuallyrequired in building or various types of construction work.

A further object of the invention is to provide an angle framer of thetype stated that is adapted to be conveniently and efficiently used foraccurately laying out lines at dilferent angles and planes at differentpositions as for example when roofing timbers, rafters or the like arebeing marked off preparatory to sawing the same or cutting such workpieces.

Still another object is to provide such an angle framer or tool that iseconomical to manufacture and efficient in operation and which is ruggedin structure and foolproof in use.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from areading of the following specification and claims, together with theaccompanying drawings, wherein like parts are referred to and indicatedby like reference characters and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the angle framer of the present invention,with parts broken away and in section.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary sectional view showing certain constructionaldetails of the cam locking mechanism and its associated parts.

FiGURE 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 33 of FIGURE -1.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary bottom plan View showing the rafter table onthe back side of the tool.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing tl e parts separatedor disassembled, and with parts broken away and in section.

FIGURE 6- is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a portion of one ofthe movable hands.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 16 indicates the toolor angle framer of the present invention which is shown to comprise abar that is indicated generally by the numeral H, and the bar 11includes a main body portion 12 of rectangular formation, FIGURE 1. Thenumerals 13 and 14 indicate opposite sides or surfaces of the bar 11,and the bar 11 is provided With longi tudinally extending spacedparallel straight side edges 15 and 16, FIGURE 4. There is also providedin the bar finger engaging indentations or recesses 17 and 18 for apurpose to be later described, FIGURE 1.

Arranged contiguous to one end of the bar 11 and secured thereto orLormed integral therewith is a support member 24 which is provided witha tapered upper surface 19 as well as an inner arcuate surface 20, andthere is provided in the inner edge portion of the support member 24 aplurality of spaced apart indentations or apertures 21. The numeral 22indicates indicia or scale mark- 3,8Z,532 Patented Mar. '26, I ildS ingson a tapered surface 19 which is suitably calibrated or aligned with theapertures 21. The support member 24 may be secured in place to theadjacent end portion of the bar 11 as for example by means of screws'ZS.

The bar 11 is provided with a cutaway portion 26 adjacent one endthereof and a plate 237 is seated in and secured in the cutaway portion26. The numeral 28 indicates a stud or pin which includes anenlarged'head 29 as well as a stern portion 30, FIGURE 3, and the stud23 is ailixed to the bar 11 and has its stem portion 36 projectingthrough the plate 27 as shown in the drawings. The stud 28 is providedwith an outer externally threaded portion 31 as Well as an inner hollowthreaded section 32. As shown in FIGURES for example the bar llhas onone side thereof a recessed or cutaway portion 33 which is shaped todefine or provide edge portions 34 and 35.

The numeral 36 indicates a firstmovable hand or blade which comprises aflat portion 37'that has a generally tapering formation which is definedbetween stnaight edges 38 and 39 that are arranged angularly withrespect to each other, and one end of thehand 36 is slightly enlarged asat 40, and this end portion 40 is provided with a large circular opening41.

There is furtherprovided a second movable hand or blade which isindicated generally by the numeral 42, and the hand 42 includes a mainfiat portion or section 43 having a somewhat tapered formation definedbetween straight edges 44 and 45, and the second hand 42 is furtherprovided with an enlarged generally arcuate or rounded shoulder 46 thathas a plurality of spaced apart notches 47 thereon, FIGURE 7. Indicia 48is arranged on the shoulder 46 as for example as shown in FIGURE 1. Thesecond hand 42 is also provided with a pointer 49 on one end thereof,and the pointer 49 is adapted to selectively engage in the apertures 21in the support member 24.

As shown in the drawings, a knurled pressure element 52 is-adapted'to'bearranged in threaded engagement with the threaded portion 31 of the stud2S, and a locking element 53 is mso provided, the'locking element 53including a knurled portion 54 as well as a reduced diameter threadedshank-55 which is adapted to threadedly engage the threaded section 32.of the stud 28 so as to help maintain the parts in their properassembled relationship.

Securedor formed'integral with one side of the second hand 42 is acircular base portion 50, and'the"base portion 50 and hand'42 areprovided with a slot 51 for the projection --therethrough of the stemportion 30 of the stud 28. The base portion 54) isrotat'ably received inthe opening 41 of the hand 36, as for example as shown in FIGURES.

The angle framer of the present invention further embodies a generallycircular rotatable disc which is indicated generally by the numeral 57,and the disc 5'7 is provided with a central opening 58 for theprojection therethrough of the stem portion 39 of the stud 28. The disc57 is pnovidedwith a finger engaging lug 59 thereon for facilitating themanual turning or rotation of the disc 57, and the numeral 56 indicatesa pin which extends'up- Wardly from the hand 42 and which is securedthereto or formed inte ral therewith. As shown in FIGURE 2 for example,a portion of the disc 57 is recessed or cutaway adjacent the outerperiphery thereof as at 61 so as to define a locking cam surface 62 forcoaction with the pin .56, and an outer peripheral portion of the disc57 may be tapered or beveled as at 63.

Attention is directed to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, wherein the numeral64 indicates a pin member which is suitably atiixed to the bar 11, andthe pin member 64 is adapted to selectively project through or engage asmall opening 65 in the hand 42 whereby the hand 42 can be selectivelymaintained in a stationary position contiguous to the bar 11.

The nurneral 66 indicates a manually operable latch mechanism whichcomprises a spring member 67 that has one end secured as at 68 to thehand 36, and a bracket 69 straddles or extends over a portion of thespring member 67, and the bracket 69 is fastened to the hand 36 as forexample by means of rivets or securing elements 70. The latch 66 furtherincludes a finger piece 71 which includes a portion 72 that is providedwith a slot 73 for the projection therethrough of a fastener or securingelement 74, and the finger piece 71 further includes offset portions 75and 76 as Well as a pointer 77, and the pointer 77 is adapted to engageand coact with the notches 47 of the shoulder 46 of the hand 42.

In FIGURE 1 the numeral 78 indicates a work piece which is adapted to bescribed or marked or measured as for example when using the tool of thepresent invention.

As shown in FIGURE 4, indicia as indicated by the numeral 79 is adaptedto be arranged on the under or back side of the bar 11, and this indicia79 may consist of rafter tables for providing a handy reference to pitchor the like.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided a toolwhich is especially suitable as an angle framer, and the tool of thepresent invention can be used for accurately and readily laying off ofrafters and various polygonal bevels usually required in building, andthe tool of the present invention is especially suitable for use bycarpenters or other craftsmen or workmen. The tool includes a pair ofblades or movable hands which can be readily set and fixed at anydesired angle with respect to each other so that various angles can bescribed or marked on a work piece such as the member 78.

Basically the tool of the present invention consists of the bar 11 whichhas the pair of blades 36 and 42 adjustably connected thereto as forexample by means of the stud 28 and associated parts, and in additionthere is provided the latch mechanism 66 as previously described. Thefollowing is given as a description of the use or movement of the partsas for example when the tool is being operated. First, the locking discor washer 57 on the stub 28 is released by manually rotating the disc57, and this rotation of the disc 57 is facilitated due to the provisionof the enlargement or lug 59 which can be conveniently engaged by theusers finger and by moving the disc 57 in such a manner that the camsurface '62 moves out of engagement with the pin 56, the disc 57 will beunlocked or released. Then, the longer hand 42 is raised slightly, asfor example the finger of the user may be engaged in the indentation 17so as to slightly elevate the end portion of the hand 42 in order tofree the opening 65 from the pin 64, and the hand 42 can be pulled downwith a slight pressure so as to release the pointed end 49 from theparticular opening or aperture 21 at the point 49 is in, and then thehand 42 is set on any desired pitch. Thus, the indicia 22 is providedwith the scale markings or indicia thereon that indicates pitch, and theapertures 21 are spaced to coincide or coact with these Various pitchmarkings 22 so that by positioning the point 49 at a particular aperture21, the hand 42 can be set at the desired pitch. The tapered surface 19is provided so as to facilitate the reading or visual observation of theindicia 22 by the carpenter or other person using the tool. After thehand 4-2 has been set at the desired pitch, the disc 57 is locked as forexample by manually rotating the disc 57 by supplying finger pressure tothe lug 59 so that the cam surface 62 moves into wedging engagement withthe pin 56, as for example as shown in FIGURE -'l. The slot 51 in thehand 42 provides sufiicient clearance so that the stud stem portion 36can extend through this slot 51, whereby the hand 42 can be pulled on inorder to permit the pointer 49 to move downward out of engagement with aparticular [aperture 21, as for example when the hand 42 is beingshifted in position, and after the hand 42 has been moved to the desiredlocation, the hand 42 can be pushed forward in order to engage thepointer 4? in the desired aperture 21.

After the locking disc 57 has been tightened, the latch 66 is manuallyactuated, and to actuate the latch 66, it is only necessary to pressdown on the portion 76 of the finger piece 71, and this causes thespring member 67 to bend or flex upwardly since the spring member 67 isonly fastened in place at the point 68. This upward flexing of thespring member 67 is accompanied by a pivotal or rocking movement of thefinger piece 71, as for example the finger piece can move from the solidline position of FIGURE 6 to the dotted line position of FIGURE 6whereby the pointer 77 of the finger piece will move upward out ofengagement with a particular notch 47 in the shoulder 46, and with thepointer 77 out of engagement with the notch, the short hand 36 can bepivoted about an axis extending through the stud 28 so that the hand 36can be set to the desired angular position such as a ninety degree anglewhereby an edge of the hand 36 will be arranged at ninety degrees withrespect to a corresponding edge of the hand 42 so that for example acarpenter can conveniently scribe a ninety degree angle on a work piecesuch as the work piece 78. After the hand 36 has been moved to thedesired location, finger pressure on the portion 76 is released wherebythe spring member 67 returns the latch parts to their original position,as for example the parts can return from the dotted line position shownin FIGURE 6 to the solid line position of FIGURE 6, whereby the pointer77 will engage one of the notches 47 in the shoulder 46 to maintain thehand 36 immobile in its adjusted desired position. The indicia ormarkings 48 on the shoulder 46 are arranged to provide an accurate meansof setting the hand 36 on a particular angle so that for example anoctagonal, hexagonal, ninety degree mark. or cut or the like can bereadily accomplished, and after the hand 36 has been set, the tool isready for use.

The tool can be readily disassembled, and to disassemble the parts ofthe tool it is only necessary to unscrew the securing element 53 fromthe stud 28, and then unscrew the pressure element 52 from the stud, andthen the hand 42 can be pulled downward slightly in order to free thepointer 49 from the apertures 21 and this hand 42 can be lifted off andthen the hand 36 can be removed or lifted 01f of the bar. The hand 36includes the enlarged opening 41 which rotatably receives therein thecircular base portion 50 of the hand 42 and this construction permitsrelative movement between the pair of hands 36 and 42 so that the hand36 can be set for the desired angle relative to the hand 42, after thehand 42 has been set as previously described, and the provision of thecoacting base portion 50 and opening 41 serves to insure that the hand36 will be maintained in its proper aligned position regardless of itsadjusted location.

The tool is further provided with the length scale of various pitches onthe stock or handle as for example as indicated by the numeral 79, andin addition the tool of the present invention provides for one handsetting off of the movable hand on degrees, registering from the movablehand and also registering from the stock or handle. Thus, the presentinvention includes the two hands that seton degrees off each other andalso off of the degrees from the main stock or handle so that the toolof the presentinvention is a multiple degree register or indicator forangle cuts. The table 79 functions as a rafter length solvent table, andthe tool of the present invention is adapted to be used as a multipleangle square. The hands 36 and 42 are adapted to fall back on top of thehandle or bar 11, and the hands are attached to the stud or pin 28 -bymeans of the slot 51 in the one hand 42, and no screws or nuts arerequired to fasten the hands in a working position. Each of theapertures 21 represents a pitch and they run from a 1 x 12 to a 12 x 12pitch. The long hand 42 that has the slot 51, also has a needle shapedpoint 49 which can he slipped in any of the various pitch apertures 21and with the pointer 49 in an aperture 21, the hand 42 will be set to apitch as indicated on the scale 22.

With further reference to the disc or washer 57, this can be turneduntil it presses against the pin 56 so that the hand can be locked inpostiion ready to be used. Thus, the disc 57 provides a locking meansfor the long hand 42. Relative to the short hand 36, the short hand 35can be set at right angles to the long hand 42, or else the short hand36 can be set for octagon or hexagon cuts, and the various notches 47 onthe shoulder 46 are spaced to correspond to such hexagon, octagon cutsor the like. The short hand 36 is set or held in position by means ofthe spring latch mechanism 66, and the short hand 36 can be set at rightangles with respect to the long hand, or right angles with respect tothe stock or bar 11. It is to be noted that the short hand 36 can be setat right angles with respect to the long hand 42 regardless at Whatpitch the long hand is set on, but the long hand has to be either set ona 12 x 12 pitch or closed on the handle bar 11 before the short hand 36can be set at right angles to the handle bar 11. The hands are made sothat when scribed on the top of the hands, the user gets the main raftercut, when scribed on the bottom of the hands, the king or volley or jackrafter cut is obtained.

Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details coming withinthe field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, ifdesired.

What is claimed is:

1. In an angle framer, a bar having a support member on one end thereofand said support member being provided with indicia thereon, there beinga plurality of spaced apart apertures in the inner portion of saidsupport member, a stud aflixed to said bar, a first movable handprovided with a circular opening for the projection therethrough of saidstud, a second move'able hand having a circular base portion rotatablein the opening in said first hand, there being a slot in said baseportion and second hand for the projection therethrough of said stud, anarcuate shoulder on said second hand and said shoulder having indiciathereon, a pointer on said second hand for selectively engaging theapertures in the support member. and cam locking means operativelyconnected to said second hand.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said cam locking meanscomprises a rotary disc having a cam surface thereon, and a pin forcoaction with said cam surface.

3. The structure as defined in claim 1 and further including a pressureelement and locking element arranged in threaded engagement with saidstud.

4. In an angle framer, a bar having a support member on one end thereofand said support member being provided with indicia thereon, there beinga plurality of spaced apart apertures in the inner portion of saidsupport member, a stud aifixed to said bar, a first movable handprovided with a circular opening for the projection therethrough of saidstud, a second movable hand having a circular base portion rotatable inthe opening in said first hand, there being a slot in said base portionand second hand for the projection therethrough of said stud,

an arcuate shoulder on said second hand and said shoulder having indiciathereon, a pointer on said second hand for selectively engaging theapertures in the support member, and cam locking means operativelyconnected to said second hand, said cam locking means comprising arotary disc having a cam surface thereon, a pin on said second hand forengagement with said cam surface, a pressure element and locking elementarranged in threaded engagement with said stud, and a spring latchconnected tosaid first hand, there being a plurality of spaced apartnotches in the shoulder of said second hand, for coaction with saidspring latch.

5. An angle framer comprising a bar including a main body portion ofrectangular formation, a support member connected to one end of saidbar, said support member including an upper tapered surface and aninnner arcuate surface, indicia on the upper surface of said supportmemher, there being a plurality of spaced apart apertures in the innerportion of said support member and said apertures being aligned withsaid indicia, a stud mounted in said bar and said stud including anouter externally threaded portion and an inner hollow threaded section,there being a recess in one side" of said bar, a first movable handadapted to selectively seat in said recess, and said hand including aflat portion having longitudinally extending straight side edges, oneend of said hand being enlarged and being provided with a circularopening; a second movable hand including a main flat portion, an arcuateshoulder on one end of said second handle indicia on said shoulder, acircular base portion on the inner surface of said second hand and saidbase portion being rotatably received in the opening in the first hand,there being a slot in said base portion and shoulder for the projectiontherethrough of said stud, a pointer on said second hand for selectivelyengaging the apertures in said support member, a knurled pressureelement arranged in threaded engagement with the externally threadedprojecting portion of said stud, a locking element including a reduceddiameter threaded shank arranged in threaded engagement with the innerhollow threaded section of said stud, a pin extending upwardly from saidsecond hand, a rotary disc provided with a central opening for theprojection therethrough of said stud, a finger engaging lug on saiddisc, there being a recessed portion in the outer periphery of said discdefining a locking cam surface ror coaction with said pin.

6. An angle framer comprising a bar including a main body portion ofrectangular formation, a support member connected to one end of saidbar, said support member including an upper tapered surface and an innerarcuate surface, indicia on the upper surface of said support member,there being a plurality of spaced apart apertures in the inner portionof said support member and said apertures being aligned with saidindicia, a stud mounted in said bar and said stud including an outerexternally threaded portion and an inner hollow threaded section, therebeing a recess in one side of said bar, a first movable hand adapted toselectively seat in said recess, and said hand including a flat portionhaving longitudinally extending straight side edges, one end of saidhand being enlarged and being provided with a circular opening; a secondmovable hand including a main flat portion, an arcuate shoulder on oneend of said second hand, indicia on said shoulder, a circular baseportion on the inner surface of said second hand and said base portionbeing rotatably received in the opening in the first hand, there being aslot in said base portion and shoulder for the projection therethroughof said stud, a pointer on said second hand for selectively engaging theapertures in said support member, a knurled pressure element arranged inthreaded engagement with the externally threaded projecting portion ofsaid stud, a locking element including a reduced diameter threaded shankarranged in threaded engagement with the inner hollow threaded sectionof said stud, a pin extending upwardly from said second hand, a rotarydisc provided with a central opening for the projection therethrough ofsaid stud, a finger engaging lug on said disc, there being a recessedportion in the outer periphery of said disc defining a locking camsurface for coaction with said pin, and a manually operable latchembodying a spring member secured to said first hand, a bracketstraddling said spring member and aflixed to said first hand, a fingerpiece connected to said spring member and said finger piece includingoffset portions and said finger piece being provided with a 10 pointer,there being a plurality of notches in the shoulder of the second handfor selectively receiving the pointer of said finger piece.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS475,390 Downey May 24, 1892 886,639 Renner May 5, 1908 2,864,169Klabunde Dec. 16, 1958

1. IN AN ANGLE FRAMER, A BAR HAVING A SUPPORT MEMBER ON ONE END THEREOF AND SAID SUPPORT MEMBER BEING PROVIDED WITH INDICIA THEREON, THERE BEING A PLURALITY OF SPACED APART APERTURES IN THE INNER PORTION OF SAID SUPPORT MEMBER, A STUD AFFIXED TO SAID BAR, A FIRST MOVABLE HAND PROVIDED WITH A CIRCULAR OPENING FOR THE PROJECTION THERETHROUGH OF SAID STUD, A SECOND MOVEABLE HAND HAVING A CIRCULAR BASE PORTION ROTATABLE IN THE OPENING IN SAID FIRST HAND, THERE BEING A SLOT IN SAID BASE PORTION AND SECOND HAND FOR THE PROJECTION THERETHROUGH OF SAID STUD, AN ARCUATE SHOULDER ON SAID SECOND HAND AND SAID SHOULDER HAVING INDICIA THEREON, A POINTER ON SAID SECOND HAND FOR SELECTIVELY ENGAGING THE APERTURES IN THE SUPPORT MEMBER, AND CAM LOCKING MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID SECOND HAND. 